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The appointment of a man as a Period Dignity Officer has been met with backlash, with the move being described as ‘absurd’.

A Scottish group has hired Jason Grant in the role, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland. It comes after the nation made history by becoming the first country in the world to protect the right to free sanitary products with legislation. It means that places like local councils and places of education must make pads and tampons free to those who need them.

While Mr Grant’s appointment comes in the wake of the huge advancement, the hiring of a man as a Period Dignity Officer has seen huge debate online.

Man appointed as Period Dignity Officer

Former tennis champion Martina Navratilova tweeted: “This is just f****** ridiculous. Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?!? This is absurd.”

The job description for the role explains the Period Dignity Regional Lead Officer will need to “engage with staff, partners, communities and young people in developing and delivering a campaign that stretches across our regions, raising awareness and understanding of the Period Product Act.”

A spokesperson for the Period Dignity Working Group clarified that the role is mainly focused on project management.

“By changing the culture, encouraging debate and removing the stigma around periods, we look forward to supporting the delivery of this important work across the region.”

Mr Grant said, “I think being a man will help me to break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions. Although affecting women directly, periods are an issue for everyone. We’ll also raise awareness of the menopause, which, although a natural process for women, has wider repercussions in the world of work and family.

“It’s time to normalise these topics and get real around the subject. I believe I can make progress by proving this isn’t just a female topic, encouraging conversations across all genders and educating and engaging new audiences.”

What are your thoughts? Is this role best suited to a man? Let us know in the comments below.

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  • I don’t see anything wrong for man to do that.

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  • Good on him for supporting women’s rights!

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  • You know what?….Woman have gone on for years about how we want everyone to be equal and that we can do the same jobs as men but now we are going to say “Hey hang on…a man cant have that job…only a woman should be able to do that job”…. Seriously…do we want to be equal or not? You cant have it all your own way.

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  • Good on him for already breaking down stigma by taking this job !

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  • Heaps of women don’t bat an eye when it comes to male Obstetrician-Gynecologist …so maybe this guy will also do a great job.

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  • I get the point of making it a more open conversation, but maybe have the role as a male in the future, not initially.

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  • We’re meant to be a gender neutral world now so why not let him try?

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  • At the end of the day, there is free products for those that need them. Isn’t that what is the most important thing here?

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  • It’s great that Scotland is making history by becoming the first country in the world to protect the right to free sanitary products with legislation. Way to go !

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  • If he thinks he can pull off a job like this, then let him do it and see how it goes. Everyone wants gender equality – this is one way to get it!

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  • That seems wrong to me. A man can’t possibly understand what it is like for a woman to experience periods. A woman should have been chosen;

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  • Think they’ve just given him the wrong job title. “Project Manager” is sufficient. As much as they’d like to push it, most young girls still wouldn’t choose to seek out a male to get help and advice from.

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  • I think it’s great to include men in this role, but to have him as the ‘head of department’ I think is a bit much. Only women really understand the needs, feelings and frustrations of this. So many questions will have to researched or asked around as he doesn’t have first hand knowledge. I love they have opened involved men, I just hope there are women with just as high in the role.

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  • He could be part of the working team, but to be the head of it seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Just another job that should be given to a woman that has not been.

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  • We are pushing for equal rights and women doing what some class as “man’s work” so why should we be complaining about this.

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